1862 $3 (1862 Three Dollar Gold) NGC XF45 CAC. This lightly circulated, Civil War dated 1862 Three Dollar Gold Piece shows traces of mint luster remaining in protected areas. The grade of XF45 is confirmed by CAC, indicating that the coin is of premium quality and meets stringent standards within the grade range. The surfaces are original, clean, and free of distracting marks. The strike is full on the reverse, which shows full details on the numerals of the date.

In 1854 James B. Longacre created the Indian Princess three-dollar gold piece design. It consisted of a truncated portrait of Liberty in profile facing left wearing a stylized headdress inscribed LIBERTY. She is surrounded by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The reverse shows an open, elaborate wreath of corn, cotton, maple, and tobacco with the numeral 3 in the top center. Below it is DOLLARS followed by the date.

The original purpose of the three-dollar gold piece was to facilitate the purchase of 100 postage stamp sheets. The logic of introducing this denomination at a time when there was a quarter eagle in circulation is questionable. The coins circulated in the East and Midwest until 1861, when all coinage disappeared. They also circulated in the West but not after 1860.

In its population report as of December 2011, CAC has confirmed 3 1862 three-dollar gold pieces in XF45 condition with 9 better.